Gronholm leads in Australia

PEUGEOT’S Marcus Gronholm got off to a fine start in the Rally Australia after setting the pace in the opening stage yesterday.

The Finn, who had been fastest on the shakedown, beat world champion Sebastien Loeb by three-tenths of a second over the rain-hit super special stage, with Gronholm’s team-mate Harri Rovanpera finishing third.

Subaru driver Petter Solberg was fourth fastest over the 2.34km course after earlier crashing his Impreza into a gatepost in the wet conditions during the shakedown.

British hopefuls Niall McShea and Alister McRae both set the fourth fastest times of 1:39.8 as they look to challenge for the production crown this weekend.

The action continues today with the 15.89 Stirling West stage opening proceedings and rain forecast to continue in the morning.